Ukrainian parliament confirms Sviridenko as PM

MOSCOW. July 17 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian parliament has confirmed Yulia Sviridenko as new prime minister, Ukrainian media reported.

Sviridenko served as first deputy prime minister, economy minister in the government of Prime Minister Denis Shmygal, whose resignation the Ukrainian parliament accepted on Wednesday. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky offered Sviridenko to become prime minister several days ago. He also said that he would like Shmygal to become defense minister in Sviridenko's government.

Ukrainian media reported later that the Verkhovna Rada voted to reappoint Andrei Sibiga foreign minister. Sibiga has served as foreign minister since September 5, 2024 in Prime Minister Denis Shmygal's government.

It was reported later that the Rada appointed former Prime Minister Denis Shmygal defense minister.

Media reported that incumbent Defense Minister Rustem Umerov might become the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States or a member of the National Security and Defense Council.

Sviridenko, born in 1985, graduated from the Kiev National University of Trade and Economics with a master's degree in antitrust management.

She started working in the private sector in 2008 and took leading positions in the Chernigov Regional State Administration since 2015. She headed the economic development department and served as the first deputy head of the Chernigov Regional State Administration and was acting head of the regional state administration in July-December 2018.

Sviridenko was appointed deputy minister in September 2019 and became first deputy minister of economic development, trade and agriculture in July 2020.

She was appointed deputy chief of staff of the Ukrainian presidential administration on December 22, 2020.

Sviridenko was serving as the first deputy prime minister, economy minister since November 4, 2021.